Old-Fashioned Fudge recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1½ cups whole milk
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Grease an 8×8-inch pan with butter or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and salt. Stir well to combine.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
4. Once it begins to boil, stop stirring. Allow the mixture to cook undisturbed until it reaches the soft-ball stage (about 234–240°F / 112–116°C) on a candy thermometer. This takes about 10–15 minutes.
5. Remove from heat. Add the butter and vanilla, but do not stir. Let the mixture cool undisturbed until it reaches about 110°F (43°C) or is lukewarm to the touch.
6. Once cooled, beat the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until it thickens and loses its gloss. This may take several minutes.
7. Quickly pour the fudge into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
8. Let it cool completely at room temperature, then cut into squares and serve.

Let me know if you’d like to add nuts, marshmallows, or flavor variations!